These are just a sampling of migraine        
            triggers. For an all-inclusive list
                          Click Here

Environmental
·         Cigarette smoke
·         Perfume
·         Bright lights
·         Weather

Food                              
·         Artificial sweeteners
·         Wine
·         Caffeine
·         Aged or Processed Meats
·         Hot Dogs
·         Pickles

Additives Chemicals Preservatives
 ·        Aspartame
·         Sulfites
·         MSG
·         Nitrites/Nitrates

Hormonal
·         Changes during puberty
·         Menstruation
·         Menopause
·         Birth Control pills

Schedule changes
·         Oversleeping
·         Skipping meals

 

Effective treatment options for migraine headaches in women are essential today. Women take on many roles; they are hard workers, strong leaders, achievers, and providers. Women cannot afford to be out of commission for long. They have children, husbands, employers and friends that rely on them. The sudden onset of a migraine can transform them into pain wracked patients whose lives have just come to a halt for 4 to 72 hours.

Medications used as treatment options for migraine headaches in women can be classified into three groups. There is abortive therapy, preventives and alternative or non drug treatments to treat migraine headaches.

Abortive Migraine Therapy: Used to stop migraines or at least ease the pain. (These can be injected into the thigh or taken as a meltable tablet on the tongue for fast relief and to prevent vomiting.)
·         Triptans - the newest form of abortive medications. These are specifically targeted to migraines. They constrict arteries and also release serotonin in the brain to help relieve the pain, nausea and sensitivity to sound and light.
·         Ergotamines-an older type of medication which constricts arteries to reduce the throbbing pain of migraines. Ergots are not considered as safe as Triptans and are only prescribed for people who can’t find relief with safer alternatives


Preventive Migraine Therapy: Used to prevent migraines before they appear. (These medications are for people who have two or more migraines a month that interfere with daily routines. Preventives are designed to reduce the possibility of a migraine or reduce its impact.)
·         Beta – Blockers such as Inderal® and Blocadren®
·         Calcium-Channel Blockers such as Verapamil®
·         Anti-convulsants such as Depakote® and Topamax®
·         Anti-depressants such as Elavil® and Effexor®


Natural Treatments:
·         Avoiding Migraine Triggers
·         Eating to Avoid Migraines
·         Exercise
·         Pain Management
·         Nutritional Treatments
·         Herbs

 There are treatment options for migraine headaches in women. It is important to understand that migraines can NOT be cured. Migraines can only be prevented, controlled and treated. Medications only mask the symptoms; they do not make them go away. In fact, the constant use of medication can make you even sicker and give you more headaches! If you have ridden the roller coaster of medications and doctors, it’s time to get off and give the safe and natural techniques that have been well researched and used successfully for a long time a chance to make a change in your life.